I was top of my class. I didn't need to study for that.

[ But he did study. Quite a lot, actually. He did it with a purpose in mind, of course, but he always loved learning new things, even if the Empire encouraged any knowledge to be used to further the Empire's goal. Learning with no purpose in mind would've just been pointless, so James kept that bit to himself. ]

Am I? [ He chuckled, reaching up to cup Steve's face, a thumb stroking his cheek. ] Thought you'd be my age, at the very least.

[ He also wasn't sure that 7 years in some kind of suspended animation didn't count, but he wouldn't argue on that point. His eyes blinked slowly as Steve brushed his fingertips over his pulse, tilting his head to the side to allow him to touch as much of his throat as he liked.

Against his better judgment, his smile softened at Steve's last words. He didn't care much at all that it made him look weak right now, it was fine so long as it was just Steve with him there. ]

Tell me. [ He caught the collar of Steve's jacket and tugged just a bit. ] What you wanted to tell me before, tell me now.